Glitz and Glam: DanseSport Montreal 2019

The sun is shining, the weather is warm, and summer is here (finally), and...it’s time for the 21st edition of Dansesport Montréal.

So brush off your dance shoes, put on your rhinestones (all of them), and show us what you’ve got. Because this year is big big BIG. And it’s all about YOU (as it should be). Read on to find out all the details!


THE EVENT

This year Dansesport Montréal will be taking over the city on June 20, 21, and 22nd at Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel in the heart of downtown. Competitors and spectators will be a chassé away from fabulous restaurants, outdoor concerts, a happening night life (this city doesn’t know the meaning of the word “sleep” in summer, I kid you not), and beautiful places to walk, be it in one the city’s numerous parks, up Mont Royal, or down in Old Montreal. Oh. And our world-renowned Jazz Fest begins Thursday, June 27th. So maybe extend your stay? It’s Montreal in the summer. Do we really need to say anything more??

So if this city wasn’t enough incentive, let’s talk about the competition. LET’S TALK.

Dansesport Montreal is an international WDSS (World DanceSport Series) event. The WDSS is a network of over 90 Dancesport events held throughout North America, events which include La Classique du Quebec and the Tulip Classic in Niagara Falls. It’s a competition focused on Pro-Am and all the glitz you could ever want!

This year, the competition will run from Thursday, June 20th through Saturday, June 22nd. Thursday’s show will star Pro-Am Smooth (closed and open) & Rhythm dancers (closed), as well as Pro-Am Solo Exhibitions. The Professional “Rising Star” competition in American and International will end the day with a bang. Friday showcases Pro-Am Rhythm (open) and Pro-Am Ballroom (open and closed)...as well as the Pro-Am Showdance numbers. Amateur couples will take to the floor in the late afternoon/evening. And last, but certainly not least, Saturday showcases Pro-Am Latin and Amateurs and Juveniles. And the pro show. With Exhibition Champions Victor Da Silva and Anna Melnikova.

So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets and come spectate. Or better yet -- participate. You know you want to.


VICTOR AND ANNA

Victor Da Silva is a champion Exhibition dancer. Exhibition dancing (also known as cabaret) is a type of dance that combines gymnastics and acrobatics with the movement of ballroom and classical dance. Exhibition dancers add ballet and circus training to their usual routines in order to have the strength for all the acrobatics required.

His many championship titles include the British Open (Blackpool) in 2002 and the Millenium 2001 Dance Exhibition Champion. He is currently retired from competition.

Anna Melnikova is a Russian dancer. She dedicated herself to dance at the age of 12 and has been partnered with Slavik Kryklyvyy, Justinas Duknauskas, and Nino Langella. She and Victor have been dancing together since February 2017. At the time, both were without a partner and decided to begin working on something together -- quietly. But one routine led to another and soon enough they decided to do a show and make their partnership official. Together, they set the dance floor sizzling. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll see at Dansesport:

THE VENUE

Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel. Dancers, after a long day on the floor...they have a spa. I don’t know about you, but I’m sold. Especially when my feet decide they simply will not fit into my dance shoes again and it’s going to be flats or bust.

What else could you want to know? There’s a gym, an indoor pool and whirlpool, and sauna. For all your food needs, there is a bar in the atrium (this seems like an important point...post-comp celebrations anyone?), and a restaurant. And of course you’re a triple step away from some very fine restaurants just outside the hotel doors.


THE ORGANIZERS

Dansesport Montreal is organized by none other than Canadian dance legends Pierre Allaire and Mireille Veilleux. They are 12-time Canadian Professional Ten-Dance Champions, Canadian and North American Professional International Latin and Standard Champions, and Open British Open Professional Rising Star Latin Champions!

Together, Pierre and Mireille have been choreographers on So You Think You Can Dance Canada. They’ve won the Feather Award for “Most Outstanding Couple Outside USA”, the “Legends Of Dance Award”, and the Can-Am Dancesport “Special Achievement” Award. They are the owners of Studio 2720 in Montreal, Quebec and organizers of not only Dansesport Montreal but also Dansélite.

ILOVEDANCESHOES

Of course we’re going to be there. You think we’d miss it? We’re going to be there for all of it and we’ll have our collection with us -- we have all the shoes you could ever need for professionals and beginners. Competition, practice, or even a night out -- we’ve got you covered.

You can find us in the corridor in front of the ballroom. So come by and talk shoes and dance with us!

So that’s Dansesport. You’re coming, right? Right. That’s what I thought.

We’ll see you there.